Smorgas Chef @ Scandinavia House

I met up this week with a former coworker I hadn't seen in years. NYC is funny like that--getting around this small/huge city can be quite a trick, and you can go weeks, months, even years without seeing someone (thank goodness for email, FB, etc)! We finally picked a date to meet up for a late lunch, and my friend lives just around the corner from the Scandinavia House Cultural Center (in Midtown Manhattan), which has its very own Smorgas Chef restaurant!

I decided to go with 2 small appetizers--you have to have the Swedish meatballs here! The appetizer is 3 meatballs, chive mashed potatoes, and gravy with just a smidgen of lingonberry sauce. It's $9 and just enough for one person!

I also ordered the seafood chowder. This was super creamy, full of chunks of fish, mussels and more. While it was creamy, it wasn't greasy or heavy. Just right.

My friend ordered the Swedish meatballs entrée, which was just a bigger version of my appetizer (with some veggies on the side).

I don't drink a lot of soda (I don't really like carbonation, period!), but I had to try their housemade Lingonberry soda. This was interesting--it reminded me of bubble tea, with all of the tiny lingonberries sinking to the bottom. This was not as sweet as regular soda, which I actually liked. It was refreshing and just a little tart--I bet this is even better in the hot summer months!

We had a great meal and a great visit for not a lot of dough. The dining area is spread out and comfortable. There's a stunning birch tree in the middle of the room (we got to sit right next to it) with a plaque explaining its significance in Swedish culture. I have always loved birch trees myself, so I loved this bit of decor.

While the Wall Street Smorgas Chef is still my favorite (it's so warm and cozy!), this is a great spot for a midday meal, business lunch, or a quick catch-up session with an old friend.

Smorgas Chef at Scandinavia House
58 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 847-9745

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Fika Espresso Bar

Cafe Fika is a Swedish coffee/sandwich place that has several outposts uptown ("fika" is Swedish for coffee break). 2 Christmases ago I stopped by the one near 57th street to pick up some pastries and coffee for Christmas with ABF's family (his dad's side is Swedish). They were all delicious, but that particular location is so small that I felt almost claustrophobic waiting to pay at the cash register. When ABF told me there was a new location opening up on Pearl Street near his office, I couldn't wait to try it!

I met ABF after work one chilly day. This spot is just a few steps from the R train, within sight of the bustle of Stone Street. While I waited at a table outside, I snapped a few photos of the buildings around us. I never, ever get tired of looking at all the buildings here. There is always something new to notice, even on a building you've passed a thousand times before.

ABF showed up just a few minutes later, and we decided to stay outside. It was a little cool, and random raindrops were plinking down around us, but we dared to brave the weather. I hopped inside and picked out two sandwiches for us. Unfortunately the beet-stuffed burger ABF has tried before was not available, so we opted for the meatball and the curried chicken. ABF took the curried chicken, because I've never been a big fan. That was about to change! This was SO good! Perfectly seasoned, tender chunks of chicken, and just enough sauce. The bun was a bit unwieldy, and sesame seeds rained down all over our table, but this dish was a winner.

I took the Swedish meatball sandwich, which was slathered with chilled beets. Why don't I cook beets more at home? Few things are as vibrantly delicious as a perfectly roasted beet. In fact, I'm ordering some tonight from Fresh Direct! Back on track...the beets were a sweet complement to the meat, which I wish had been even a little salty. The meatballs were a bit bland, but the beets and the sauce picked up some of the flavor slack.

Just as we finished our sandwiches, the rain started to come down a bit more seriously. We packed up our dishes and went inside for coffee and dessert. There is a lot to choose from when it comes to this part! I ordered regular coffee with my dinner, and when you get coffee with an entree, you get free refills. Woo hoo! The friendly server freshened up my cup and made a latte for ABF, finishing it off with a lovely little foam heart.

I ordered an oversized macaroon, which is about the only way I like to eat coconut. This was soft, moist, and chewy, a perfect pairing with my strong Swedish coffee.

I meant to order a shortbread cookie for ABF, but apparently I wasn't clear enough. I pointed at the dish of shortbread cookies, not realizing a crumbly type of sugar cookie was there as well. That's what the server brought us, and I didn't realize it until ABF & I sat down in our booth. He went with the flow and tried it, but I think we both would have preferred the shortbread. This has to be THE crumbliest cookie I've ever seen. One bite and it literally fell apart in ABF's hand. It has a nice almond flavor (I looove almond!) but it was just too crumbly to handle.

This store, which is Fika's flagship location, also offers their own chocolates. I'll have to sample those on my next trip, but they did look delicious!

I wouldn't put Fika under Cheap Eats, but it is moderately priced, and it is quality food. If you're in the area, uptown OR downtown, definitely pop in and take a fika AT Fika!

Fika Espresso Bar
66 Pearl St
New York, NY 10004
(212) 832-0022

IKEA!

My love affair with IKEA goes back many, many moons. I first noticed them in the credits of MTV's "Real World," back when all they made was cheap MDF-board items that were great for dorm rooms, but not so much real life. When I moved to Houston, there was an IKEA right off I-10 (and 15 minutes from my apartment!) Their items were already getting better, and I was soon a devotee. I still love the kitchen table I bought in 2000 for 80 bucks (they no longer make this model). It's sturdy, well-made, and I still adore it! God bless those Swedes!

My BF is in the process of buying a new apartment, which will require new furniture/furnishings, so I was more than happy to join him this weekend for a trip through the Hicksville IKEA. But the furniture, dishes, etc. aren't the only draw. It also happens to be a favorite Cheap Eats spot of ours.

Can you believe this chick had never eaten at an IKEA before last year? I was always there on a mission, and didn't want to 'waste time' eating there. Ah, foolish youth.

This weekend, after a few hours of walking around on an empty stomach, I got a sudden buzz of head rush while still standing. I brushed it off, but the BF wisely said "I think it's time to get some lunch." You don't have to tell me twice--Swedish meatballs!!! We got in line at the cafeteria-style eatery and hit the ground running. I ordered the Swedish meatballs. They used to come with mashed potatoes (one of my favorite foods in the world), but I was disappointed to see now they offered red bliss potatoes instead. I asked sweetly (and politely) if I could have another scoop of gravy for my meatballs. The BF darted a look at me (he's SOOOOO not the special request type) but I just kept smiling at the woman, who smiled back and ladled on another splash of the creamy brown gravy. Excelsior! I may have shot a 'look' back at the BH (with a twinkle in my baby blues, of course) as I moved down the line.>{?

The BF ordered Chicken Marsala, which wasn't on the menu last time we went. He also got a side salad. We both got drinks, and the total was 16 dollars and change. Ka-ching! Cheap Eats!

Of course, there's little point to touting a Cheap Eats spot if it's not tasty. IKEA Café always makes us happy. The chicken Marsala was a real chicken breast (not that scary, pounded, processed kind) and the veggies were crisp and perfectly cooked. The Marsala wasn't exactly like we're used to, but it was still delicious. While I was at first bummed to see boiled potatoes instead of mashed, I was quickly won over. The potatoes were perfectly cooked: smooth, creamy, and just fabulous. I loved my dish so much that I dared to let foods touch. That's right. Not only did I let the gravy go everywhere, I even added bits of lingonberry sauce to each bite. I combined sweet and savory with (little to) no trepidation!
I took a close-up shot to email to my mother, who will require proof of such a claim.

On our way out, Kevin grabbed a coffee and a cinnamon roll. I didn't think I wanted one. When you have a mom like mine whose rolls are like cinnamon-laced crack, it's a tough act to follow. However, Kevin asked me to 'hold' his roll while he ran to the restroom. So maybe I sampled a bite (or four) while waiting. I was trying to get to the soft center of the roll before he came back. I wish I'd taken a shot of his expression as he saw he had maybe 2/3 of a roll left. Sucker! ;) I mean...thank you for sharing, Sweetie. :)

IKEA
1100 Broadway Mall
Hicksville, NY 11801
(516) 681-4532